- Title: Fans expect tough battle ahead of long awaited Usyk-Fury title rematch
- Date: 21st December 2024
- Summary: RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA (DECEMBER 21, 2024) (REUTERS) KINGDOM ARENA JUMBOTRON SHOWING BOXING HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION OLEKSANDR USYK MORE OF KINGDOM ARENA JUMBOTRONS RED CAGE DECORATED WITH BOXING GLOVE-SHAPED NEON LIGHTS BOYS WATCHING AS ANOTHER BOY HITS AN ARCADE PUNCH BAG YOUNG WOMEN SEATED ON BENCH BOXING FAN KAYRYLO GAVRITCHNOV FROM UKRAINE STANDING AROUND (SOUNDBITE) (English) USYK FAN KAYRYLO GAVRITCHNOV, SAYING: "Fury has a big size, but size doesn't matter. Usyk is a quick guy and clever. And I hope and I know he will win." UKRAINIAN BOXING FAN DARIA PYLIUHNO WALKING WITH PARTNER (SOUNDBITE) (English) UKRAINIAN BOXING FAN DARIA PYLIUHNO, SAYING: "Actually I'm so excited, and I do believe that Ukraine will win as (they did) the last time. I do believe in Usyk, I do believe he will be a second time champion in the heavyweights." VARIOUS OF BRITISH BOXING FAN BILAL MAQBOOL TAKING PICTURES WITH HIS PHONE (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH BOXING FAN BILAL MAQBOOL, SAYING: "I'm certainly rooting for Tyson Fury tonight. I think that he got short-changed last time. I really think he's going to come back, be better prepared, and finish the job this time around." VARIOUS OF FANS AT THE VENUE
- Embargoed: 4th January 2025 17:47
- Keywords: Oleksandyr Usyk Riyadh Tyson Fury boxing fans heavyweight title
- Location: RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA
- City: RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA
- Country: Saudi Arabia
- Topics: Boxing,Middle East,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA001882421122024RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Boxing fans arrived at Kingdom Arena in the Saudi Arabia capital Riyadh hours ahead of a long anticipated heavyweight title fight rematch on Saturday (December 21) between Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk and Britain's Tyson Fury.
Usyk fans Kayrylo Gavritchnov and Daria Pyliuhno predicted a victory for the reigning champion despite the size disadvantage with Fury.
British boxing fan Bilal Maqbool was backing his compatriot to get revenge for his loss to Usyk earlier in the year.
Usyk beat Fury on a split-decision in Saudi Arabia in May to become a four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion, and the pair now meet for a rematch with the WBC, WBO and WBA titles on the line.
(Production: Mohammed BenMansour, Mussab Al-Khairalla) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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